Police Officer 1 / Police Cadet

Job Type:

Full-Time

Division:

Finance & Administration

Opening Date:

4/7/2026

Location:

Main Campus (BG), OH

Job Number:

BGSU01526

Department:

Finance & Administration

Summary:

Candidates must complete the following steps to apply:

• Take the National Testing Network Exam (NTN)
• Complete the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) through NTN
• Complete application 

Please see the complete position details below.

For additional information about BGSU Public Safety and the BGSU Police Department click https://www.bgsu.edu/public-safety.html.

Work Schedule:

Posting is for an eligibility list that will be used to fill any current vacancies in 2026. Rotating work schedule including overnight and on weekends. Works outside exposed to inclement weather; subject to call-in emergency situations; exposed to unpredictable client behavior and other law enforcement hazards. Full benefit package available. This is a collective bargaining position.

Position Summary:

The Police Officer 1 and the Police Cadet are state university law enforcement officers and are members of the Police Department within the Department of Public Safety. The Police Officer 1 enforces state laws, city ordinances, University rules and regulations, patrols University property on foot, on bicycle or in a vehicle, provides emergency and nonemergency services, conducts investigations, writes reports, performs crime prevention activities, controls and directs traffic, assists in training new officers, and performs special assignments when necessary. Individuals who have not yet successfully completed a basic peace officer academy in Ohio will be hired at the lower rate of pay as a Police Cadet. A Police Cadet is a sworn peace officer who has yet to complete the basic peace officer academy.

Essential Functions:

• Patrols grounds and buildings on foot, on bicycle and in a patrol car; protects lives and property; prevents crime
• Protects Constitutional rights; enforces state laws, city ordinances and university policies
• Performs security functions at special events; makes emergency medical runs in a patrol car or ambulance; assists other law enforcement agencies; protects and assists visitors; performs other special service functions as needed.
• Carries firearms and/or apprehends, arrests and processes criminal violators; files affidavits, serves warrants, appears in court and testifies in criminal proceedings.
• Investigates complaints, conducts criminal and accident investigations, makes inquiries, takes and records information.
• Performs routine administrative duties related to police work (e.g., keeps log of unusual incidents and security conditions, completes reports of police activities, answers telephone); reviews changes in laws and regulations.
• Monitors traffic conditions and parking facilities to insure efficient flow of traffic; checks parking permits; issues traffic tickets as necessary.
• Participates in liaison programs, community policing activities, and community education programs.
• Provides services (e.g., money escorts, locking and unlocking buildings, giving directions, assisting drivers with unlocking vehicles, jump starting, and obtaining fuel); answers questions, presents information and advises public regarding law, policy, and features of the University.
• Operates computer to access law enforcement records, type reports, and send messages
• Attends training or instructional meetings on and off campus
• May have special assignments such as field training officer or investigator
• May train and direct student or temporary employees; may participate in training new employees
• Performs related duties as required 

The statements above are not intended to include all responsibilities, duties, and skills, but rather to describe the general nature and level of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Class Requirements:

• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must have an Associate's degree or the equivalent of 60 semester credit hours at an institution of higher education beyond the high school level at time of appointment.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and comply with the University's vehicle use policy.
• Must pass an entrance exam, demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and decision making in an assessment center and interviews, pass a psychological evaluation, a fitness-for-duty medical examination and an in-depth background investigation. Those without a current peace officer certification from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy must pass a physical agility test. 

Preferred Class Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and possession of a current valid Ohio Peace Officer's Training certificate received from a program sponsored by the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Council are preferred but not required. 

Additional Information:

Essential Competencies:

• Computer skills
• Writing skills
• Knowledge of police safety practices, police procedures and techniques, and interviewing
• Basic first aid techniques
• Investigation procedures and techniques
• Reporting procedures, and state and federal laws and regulations
• Skill in the operation of police equipment, motor vehicles, and firearms
• Ability to demonstrate physical fitness and agility
• Handle sensitive contacts with public and government officials
• Verbally present evidence in legal proceedings
• Gather, collate and classify information about people, places or things
• Read and understand technical material relating to police work
• Compose clear, concise and complete police reports
• Recognize threatening or unusual conditions and take appropriate action
• Act quickly and calmly in an emergency
• Exercise firmness with tact and objectivity 

Training and Development Required to Remain in the Classification after Employment:

Satisfactory completion of mandated training/educational topics, which may include successful completion of a basic peace officer training academy in Ohio and will include the successful completion of all steps in the field training process. Satisfactory completion of probationary period. Individual will maintain physical fitness by annually receiving a physical examination from his/her physician during the thirty calendar days preceding October 1 of each year. A personal physician will complete and return to the University a medical form approved by the University that confirms that the officer is physically fit to perform the essential functions of the job.

Selection Criteria:

Employment applications will be pre-screened for minimum educational qualifications. In addition to the completion of the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) employment application each candidate must schedule and successfully complete the https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ law enforcement exam. Completion of the BGSU application and NTN exam must be done no later than April 29, 2026. An applicant who submits a DD-214 with the application shall receive an additional credit of twenty percent (20%) of their passing score on the written exam. The DD-214 must reflect military service of 180 consecutive days or more with an honorable discharge. No military credit will be added unless the applicant achieves a minimum passing score of 70% on the written examination. Top candidates based on final scores on the NTN exam and without a current peace officer certification from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy will be invited to a *physical fitness test which will be scheduled by the department. Top candidates who successfully complete the physical fitness test will be invited to participate in an assessment center being conducted the week of May 11, 2026. Candidates must successfully pass the written exam, physical fitness test, an assessment center, interviews, an in-depth background investigation, a psychological evaluation and a medical exam.

*For a list of requirements for the physical fitness test click https://www.bgsu.edu/public-safety/bgsu-police/police-physical-fitness-requirements.html.

Official college or university transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution(s) attended to the BGSU Police Department at the below address to the attention of Annette Stencil prior to May 15, 2026.

Bowling Green State University Police

715 Leroy Avenue

100 College Park Office Building

Bowling Green, OH 43403

To Apply candidates must complete the following steps:

• Take the National Testing Network Exam (NTN)
• Complete the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) through NTN
• Complete application 

Applicants must submit:

• Resume and contact information for 3 professional references. You must indicate on application materials the classification for which you are applying. Please indicate CADET if you have not completed the academy or POLICE OFFICER 1 if you have. 

AND

• Unofficial transcripts, DD-214 (if applicable) and a copy of your Ohio Peace Officer's Training certificate (if applicable). 

Required Application Materials & Evaluation:

• Experience must be fully documented on the official application.
• The application will be used to evaluate if candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position and for consideration when determining starting pay rate.
• Experience requirements are inclusive of relevant professional experience, or experience attained through relevant internships, co-ops, student employment positions, or graduate assistantships. 

Essential Requirement: Work Authorization

BGSU does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

To apply, please visit:

https://apptrkr.com/7065139

Bowling Green State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University is committed to maintaining an employment and educational environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected class: age (40 years of age or older), ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity and expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, marital status, military status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

https://civ.ohio.gov/decisions-and-publications/informational-brochures/1-know-your-rights

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421 or email ohr@bgsu.edu.

BGSU is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents